Nearly £15,000 is to be spent on initiatives across the city from helping youngsters into sport to getting armed forces personnel working again.

Lancashire Community Finance have been given £2,000 to help those in areas of deprivation in Preston stop falling foul of payday lenders.

Ann Byrne from the group said: “Lancashire Community Finance are delighted to have been awarded a grant under the LCC Local Initiative Fund to run a campaign to help Preston residents avoid financial difficulties caused by payday loans and other high interest lenders.

“The campaign will consist of the targeted door-to-door delivery of a two sided fact sheet detailing the real cost and dangers of using high interest lenders and rent-to-buy stores.

“The fact sheet will also show the way in which we can help by providing a practical, local, fairly priced and ethical alternative, it will also give contact details for local and national providers of free practical advice and information on money and debt issues.

“We will supplement the campaign with an information stand and one to one confidential interviews to help people who are struggling with the costs of high interest loans.”

Other projects funded include:

Preston City Trampoline Club has been given £4,783 to run trampolining clubs for young people in the city.

Their new FreeG sessions mix traditional gymnastics and acrobatic tricks.

A project to get former military personnel to learn basic horticultural skills.

Dig In North West are to get funding of £3,300 to run the project.

Preston Vocational Project are the fourth to get funding, with £4,590.11 to train 20 people to professionally deliver new and innovative external wall insultation to properties.

This insulation can save households up to £400 per year in energy costs.

You can see the projects funded or who missed out on funding in a report on the council website.

What do you think of the projects funded? Let us know in the comments below